Caley Jags boss pleased gamble paid off

John Robertson felt his gamble paid off as 10-man Caley Thistle surged from behind to beat Brechin City 3-2.

Caley Jags boss Robertson kept three strikers on the pitch even when Carl Tremarco was sent off, which paid dividends with George Oakley’s winning goal.

Oakley had levelled the game just before Tremarco’s dismissal, turning the game on its head after Brechin had led since before the break.

An own-goal from Euan Smith put Inverness in front but a brace from Jordan Sinclair gave Darren Dods’ men the half-time advantage.

A tactical switch by Robertson saw Inverness go gung-ho and it paid off, with Oakley striking twice to seal the three points.

Robertson said: “We just felt we had to gamble, even at 11v11. We went 3-3-4 and it paid off. Just as we felt we’d go and win we have a man sent off.

“We dug in and stayed three up front and got the goal. We talk about players making impressions. George got his goals but Gary Warren made two or three unbelievable blocks. We deserved it. We were brave and kept going.

“We say to George stay down the middle if he wants to be involved. George met Nathan Austin at lunch-time and realises there’s more competition for places. But what an answer that is.

“It was an astonishing game of football. The second half became a basketball match because we have to gamble.”

Robertson also confirmed that former Falkirk and East Fife striker Nathan Austin has signed an 18-month deal with Caley Thistle.

His Brechin counterpart Dods felt the introduction of Oakley proved to be the game’s turning point.

He said: “We got off to the worst possible start but picked ourselves up. We scored the penalty and Jordan scores a brilliant goal. They had a lot of the ball in the second half but we kept them at bay. We struggled to cope with Oakley’s size and power.”